As the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza increases, major Palestinian trade unions and federations have appealed to the global labour movement for assistance. They have issued an international call for action to stop the Israeli war machine.
The call urges trade unionists to refuse to build weapons destined for Israel; to refuse to transport weapons to Israel; to pass motions within your trade union to this effect; to take actions against companies involved in supporting Israel’s illegal blockade; and to pressure governments to stop any military trade with Israel.
Dock workers from Naples in Italy have already taken action – refusing to handle arms shipments destined for Israel and now we hear of similar actions from the Belgian transport unions. We are asking our trade union affiliates to work within their union to respond to this call for international solidarity with the Palestinian people. A model motion, circulated by Unite South West Staff and Officers branch, can be found here. It is suitable for use in any union.
UNITE members only: are encouraged to sign this open letter to the union’s senior leadership and executive committee to respond to the call from Palestinian trade unions.
We are also calling on our supporters to lobby their MP, asking them to sign Early Day Motion 1685, which calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities to protect civilians in Gaza and Israel. You can contact your MP here and please share among your union and wider networks.
At last Saturday’s National March for Palestine, CND General Secretary Kate Hudson urged British trade unions to respond to the appeal from their Palestinian brothers and sisters. You can watch Kate’s full speech here.
To get in touch contact tradeunions@CNDuk.org